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Research Projects and Field Work Jaguar
and Puma studies
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Research Projects and Field Work Jaguar
and Puma studies
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Iguana Research
Project
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Through
conservation efforts this endangered
species of Sandy Cay Iguana
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 (c) Art Wolfe / www.artwolfe.com |
American Kestrels traditionally build their nests in tree cavities however due to habitat destruction from agricultural efforts and habitat lost they simply don't have the trees available to nest in. One of America's smallest species of falcons, it is hoped that these nesting boxes will be accepted by the birds and help to maintain and repopulate the species.As we receive news on the outcome of these efforts we will post an update to this page. |
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a volunteer for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, funds are
also needed to assist in Dave's additional ongoing projects.
Dave has been constructing and maintaining rainwater catchments systems in Eastern Washington since 2005. These are used to help support a more diverse population of native wildlife in these areas. |
 Rainwater collector rebuilt in the summer of 2007 |
| Bimini Boa Research Project | |
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Update Phase One Completed - Fall 2009 Our mission in Phase 1 was basically one of reconnaissance determining the scope, needs and feasibility of this project. The projected expenses for the second phase of the project, including lodging and equipment is estimated at 10-12,000 dollars. Roughly 4 weeks of telemetry work will be necessary to establish quality data on the boas. During Phase One we established two research sights on North and South Bimini. The south Bimini sight is in thick forest overgrown with Australian pine. This places it in close proximity to the Bimini Nature trail and Bimini Biological Field station. By contrast the North Bimini sight is just the opposite - small brush, sea grape and red mangrove - a very open habitat lacking any people and represents a much more natural, undisturbed/unaltered ecosystem. The snakes are generally feeding on small birds and doves (a traditional diet) while on the south island they have added rodents to their diet which come along with housing and development. All juveniles feed primarily on geckos and anoles. One boa was processed during Phase 1 taking measurements and using transponder data to record accurate GPS locations. Phase one was executed for $1800 covering the expenses of 2 individuals and equipment for two weeks. |
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Bimini Boa Research Goals Phase One and Two The destruction of the native mangrove forests and sea grass in the name of development has catastrophic potential for the future of many species of animals, sharks, shell fish, birds, reptiles etc... that rely on these forests (both above and below the water) for their survival and very existence. A recent short film documenting the threats to the sawfish native to the waters off of Bimini does an excellent job of summing up the impacts and threats to this ecosystem - we encourage you to watch it for yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOptwatDWQ0 Before you can help a species like the Bimini Boa you must first do your best to understand them; know their habitat, range, population numbers, sensitivities, adaptability, and susceptibilities. Only through sound research can you then give such a species an effective voice in the face of progress. One that will speak confidently, eloquently, and accurately to the impacts further development will have on their species survival. Here in these photos you can see research that is already underway in the hopes of answering these questions and giving the Bimini Boa as well as other species in this sensitive island ecosystem a much needed voice of their own. Animals are being counted, populations estimated, individuals are weighed, measured and fitted with transponders to better understand their range and territories. Snakes in general present a unique challenge to researchers in that they do not feed daily like most other animals and reptiles. A snake can go weeks and in some cases months in-between feedings making it very difficult to conduct a census and making radio telemetry studies on those that you do find all that much more important. In partnering with BBFS, GICS offers extensive expertise in working with snakes and hopes to help further this research and help in the efforts to save this and other species threatened by the ever expanding foot print of man. |
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Pine Removal Project Sandy Cay, Bahamas Executed Fall 2009 Thanks
to Your Generous Donations |
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Edgar Fortune, Ricky Escobar and horticulturist Dave Bobbroff spent 7 days on Sandy Cay in June 2009 on a restoration effort cutting down the invasive Australian pine a tree that aggressively and effectively displaces native species disrupting the delicate balance on these isolated islands. As native flora are displaced by the invasive species - native fauna loose their natural food sources. On a small island this can mean extinction for such fragile species.
The trees were deliberately planted on neighboring islands by residents looking for an effective screen against the winds, Australian Pine has a deserving reputation as a very hardy and effective plant for this purpose however residents are finding out the hard way what many communities already know - like the kudzu vine it's an invasive species that once given a chance to take hold can be very difficult to remove. |
The largest trees were the easiest to remove as they were simply cut 6" above the ground and working quickly garlone (a very effective herbicide) is applied, drawn into the wound and fed directly to the root to ensure the tree does not return.
The smaller trees took much more effort due to sheer numbers however armed with loppers, hand saws and garlone. Future efforts will be necessary to continue the battle against the Australian Pine and GICS will be there with saws in hand.
The trees, branches and boughs were piled on the beach and burned to the sand in an effort to keep them from coming back once removed. It's a long hard battle but one that needs to be fought on behalf of the inhabitants, both flora and fauna, of these remote and fragile islands. |
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Issue with Invasive Species
On a small island it doesn't take long for an aggressive species, plant or animal, to take over and upset the natural balance. In this case we are talking about a very aggressive tree species known as the Australian Pine, Casuarina species. Growing at a rate of 5-10 feet per year (up to 100') they quickly displace native plants leaving native animals without their natural food source. So aggressive - it is illegal to posses the species anywhere in the state of Florida with the intent to plan to sell. |
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 Australian Pine Seedling takes root in the sand
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Originally introduced in Florida as strong, resilient, wind breaks and cheap landscaping - Florida eventually woke up to the fact that they were taking over. Resistant to salt spray the Australian Pine thrives on these small Bahaman islands. Their shallow root system makes them especially susceptible to wind damage while also upsetting the nesting grounds for sea turtle species. On Sandy cay we are seeing the displacement of the Sea Grape, a food source vital to the future of the endangered native iguana populations. Theories vary for how they came to the islands from costal winds carrying the seed from Florida, the seas carrying whole plants dumped once outlawed in Fl to intentionally planted for the same reasons Fl residents originally sought them out. |
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Eradicating the Australian Pine is no easy task. Any trace of the plant left behind will repopulate the island in a matter of years to where your original efforts can't be found. You must always include a plan to follow up and continue to monitor the island to ensure any level of success in the long term. GICS is planning to address Sandy Cay in 2009 provided we are able to raise the necessary funding. We are working on the permit process now and need your generous donations to be able to see this project through. Early estimates put the budget at about 15,000 dollars as follows.
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Notice the dense carpet of needles left by
the pines preventing any undergrowth from surviving. |
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Maned Wolf Conservation Serra De Canistra, Brazil |
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Joares Adenilson May Júnior, one of the GICS board members and native of Brazil, is a conservationist working on behalf of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) in Brazil and GICS is proud to highlight his work in this area. Joares, a doctor of veterinary medicine, has been working directly with the wolves since 2004. He is also currently working with the endangered lowland Tapir in the same area.
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information about these important efforts and about the unique maned wolf,
Connect magazine has an excellent article highlighting the animals and the
efforts of Joares and others to help save them.
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Excerpt: The endangered maned wolf is the largest canid in South America and a strikingly unique member of the canine family. Field conservation efforts supported by AZA’s Maned Wolf SSP are helping to preserve the maned wolf along with the critically endangered grasslands it calls home. |
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